Calgary Flames 3 Anaheim Mighty Ducks 3

Ducks, Flames Fit to Be Tied

D'Arcy McGrath

November 7th, 2001

Momentum can play a huge role in the game of hockey.

A one sided fight, a bone rattling hit, a great kill of a two man advantage or an odd call by an official ... all potential swing points in a hockey game.

A scrappy, if unpolished see saw battle in Anaheim featured many momentum shifts, as the two clubs settled for what turned out to be a just tie in the end.

After a scoreless first period the Flames opened the scoring, striking with the power play early in the second.

Dean McAmmond worked the puck behind the net to Craig Conroy, who turned and took it towards the back of the Duck's cage. Much like Kent Nilsson in the early 80's, Conroy instead spotted a seemingly stealthed Jarome Iginla slipping into the slot, and fed him a pass before moving behind the net. Iginla one timed the pass for his 10th of the season.

From there the Flames continued to press, and had basically prevented the Ducks from any real offence until a weak goal tied the game midway through the second.

On the play Patric Kjellberg avoided a hit from Ron Petrovicky and took the puck to the slot before spotting Niclas Havelid heading toward the net. Havelid fired a low shot, short side that eluded Roman Turek - a goal Turek would clearly like to have back.

The goal seemed to stun the Flames as both teams slipped into a tedious, uninspired section of the game, with neither team getting much in the way of chances.

The Flames regained the lead in the period's last minute when the big line struck once again. This time Dean McAmmond did the honors from behind the net, once again spotting the Flames "go to" guy, Iginla for his second of the night.

Iginla's two goals gives him 11 on the season, and extends his point streak to nine games.

Much like the second period the Flames seemed to have things under control early in the third, playing a sound defensive game, and preventing the Ducks from getting any chances.

However a bizarre chain of events stemming from the officiating turned the game on it's ear once again. 

Chris Clark was sent off for goalie interference five minutes into the period on a play that was questinable at best. The replay clearly showed Clark coming to a full stop in front of Duck's goaltender J.S. Giguere, before getting run from behind by Kevin Sawyer.

On the ensuing powerplay the Ducks tied the game after a Craig Conroy clearing attempt struck an official and bounded to the point. Steve Rucchin was credited with the goal when the point shot bounced off his shin.

A couple of minutes later the Ducks took their first lead of the night when Paul Kariya streaked down the side and fired a cannon just inside the post.

From there the Ducks appeared to go into a shell as they sat back and iced the puck on numerous occasions. As is most often the case, the shell approach was doomed to fail when another Flame streak was continued for the tying goal.

Dave Lowry found a loose rebound off a tremendous effort by Rob Niedermayer to score his fifth of the season, and fourth in four games.

The overtime period witnessed a flat Flames squad with the best chances going to the Ducks, but neither team managed to settle things.

 

Box Score


OUR THREE STARS

1) JAROME IGINLA - Two more goals for the Flames leading sniper. 

2) PAUL KARIYA - The recently hot Kariya didn't slow down on this night scoring once and setup another, all in the third period.

3) ROB NIEDERMAYER -

Ran assist and points streak to five games, great work down low, set up game tying goal.


HIT OF THE GAME

As is often the case, the hit of the game once again went to Ron Petrovicky, as he caught an unaware Dan Bylsma as the Ducks winger skated behind the Flames net. The third period hit left Bylsma down and skidding across the ice.


FIGHT OF THE GAME

Craig Berube found a willing foe in Kevin Sawyer in the first period. The big AHL winger clearly got the better of the veteran, cutting Berube below the nose with several rights.


NOTES & STATS

The Flames failed to continue their perfection streak in terms of penalty killing, surrendering one goal to four Duck chances. ... The Flames were one for four with the advantage themselves. ... The Flames played one of their most sloppy games of the season, giving up 34 shots on Roman Turek, and turning the puck over far too often. ... Another surprising turn in stats for the Flames was another tough night on the draws, only winning 46% on the night. Craig Conroy was a season low 39%, while Clarke Wilm was his alter ego at 61%. ... The Flames out-hit the Ducks by a margin of 26 to 19 on the night, led by Ron Petrovicky with five. ... Derek Morris played a staggering 31:05 of ice time tonight, and appeared to show it late when he mishandled the puck on numerous occasions. Jarome Ignila led all forwards with 25:42. The Ducks were led by Oleg Tverdovsky with 23:30. ... On a night when Iginla stretched his lead on league scoring by an additional two goals, talk in Toronto has Canadian officials naming more players to Team Canada in the near future. Iginla's name continues to circulate as a possible selection.


 

 

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